Dual coil ignition system

Abstract

A dual coil ignition system is provided. The dual coil ignition system includes a first inductive ignition coil including a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, and a second inductive ignition coil including a second primary winding and a second secondary winding, the second secondary winding connected in series to the first secondary winding. The dual coil ignition system further includes a diode network including a first diode and a second diode connected between the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding.

Description

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS[0001]This invention was made with government support under DE-EE0003332 awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.FIELD[0002]The present disclosure relates to a dual coil ignition system for controlling spark energy provided to a spark plug of an engine.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY[0003]Engine systems may be configured with boosting devices, such as turbochargers or superchargers, for providing a boosted aircharge and improving peak power outputs. Responsive to the boosted output provided by such engine systems, efficient operation of a spark plug and stable combustion may be achieved by providing high peak secondary currents at high speed and high load conditions, while providing long spark durations at low speeds and loads under lean and / or dilute conditions. However, high peak secondary currents and long spark durations are competing characteristics for ignition coil configuration, resulting in systems that devalue operati...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a new engine system that uses boosting devices to improve power output. However, the system has limitations when it comes to ignition coil configuration, which can result in decreased performance under certain conditions. The patent proposes a solution by configuring each coil for a different characteristic (high peak secondary currents or long spark duration) and using steering diodes to combine the output of each coil only when needed. This results in decreased energy consumption, decreased component stress, and improved performance under high load conditions. The system also requires less packaging space on the engine and reduces overall electrical energy consumption.

Problems solved by technology

However, high peak secondary currents and long spark durations are competing characteristics for ignition coil configuration, resulting in systems that devalue operation under one or more of the above-identified conditions in favor of another condition.

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